Fence post brace



June 23, 1931. c. A. SPAUGH FENCE POST BRACE Filed Jan. 2'7, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Filed Jan. 27, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1931 PAT N O FFICE CHARLES A. srAUGH, or DURHAM, OKLAHOMA FENCE rosr BRAGE Application filed January27; 1930. SerialNo'. 423,837.

The present invention contemplates a novel construction of means for bracing a corner-fence post, or any ordinary post used in conjunction. with means for stretching B'th'e fence fabric, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this app'lication like numerals of reference indicate '10 similar parts the several views, and wherein p F igure 1 is a View of a fence post braced in accordance withthe present invention, and also showing how the fence post is used in connection with means for stretching the fencing wire or fabric. V

5 Figure'2 is asecti'onal view on line 22 of Figure I. j f Figure '3 is a view in elevation of one of the anchors for the post. I c

Figure 4 is' a View taken at'a right angle to'Figure 2. i r

Figure 5 is a sectional view on line 55 of Figure 1. p I 7 Figure 6 is a view showing how a corner post is braced in accordance with the present invention. j v

Figurek7 is a sectional View on line 7=7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a View of a slightly modified construction, V

Figure 10.isa: sectional view on line l010 of Figure 9..

Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of thebrackets supported by the post.'

Referring to the drawings in detail, and

sive, have illustrated a fence post constructed of a single piece of metal, and preferably of U shape formation in cross section as indicated at 19. This post is preferably formed with a longitudinal groove 11 which receives a clamping bar 12, attached to the'post in any suitable manner,

the fence wires" or'thelike being adapted to be clamped between the post 10 and the bar 7 12 aswillb'e readily understood. The spaced parallel sidem'embers 13 of the post are the ground. Each" anchor is preferably 1 right angular relation. It'will be noted upon inspection ofFigure 5 that the ribs 19 pro adjacent the upper end of the anchor.

' more particularly to Figures I to 5 in'cluquire. The upper end of each brace rod 22 connected together at suitably spaced points by bolts 14:, while surrounding each'boltis a spacing sleeve "15 which construction materiallystrengthens the post structure in its V entirety; Aportion of; the groove 1l-adjacent the loweren'd of the post is filled with a piece of metal l6 which may beattached to thepost in. any suitable manner, while carried by this filling element 16 is" an anchor plate 17.

For the purpose of bracing the post I employ a plurality of anchors, preferably of the construction illustrated in Figures 3 j and 4, and adapted to be partly driven into taperedtoward one end, and'is indicated generally at 18, while each anchor is also formed with tapered ribs 19 arranged in jecting from opposed sides of the anchor are slightly wider than the ribs projecting from the remaining sides thereof, although all of these ribs are formed with openings 20 These openings maybe used in conjunction with some suitable tool for lifting the anchors from the ground, but are primarily intended for use in connection with the 8 brace rods which connect the anchorswith the posts proper as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. It will be noted, however, that each anchor is provided with a reduced head portion. 21 by means of which the anchor is elfectively driven into the ground.

Asjclearly illustrated; infiFigure 5, each braceflrod 22 receives in its lower end, a threaded bolt23, the latter terminating to provide a hook 24 adaptedto pass through 90 .one of the openings 20 in the adjacent rib 19 of the anchor., Manife'stly' thebolt23 is adjustable longitudinally of the brace rod 22, so thatin reality the length of the latter can be varied as the occasion may reis connected with the post proper by means of abracket 25,; there being one of these brackets for each brace rod 22. The brackets are boltedor otherwise suitably secured to the fence post, While each bracket is figure it will be noted that a blockand tackle indicated generally at 28 is supported upon the post by a suitable band or ring 28, and also connected with a clamp 29 adapted to be attached to the adjacent end of the fence fabric in any suitable manner. This construction, however, does not form any part of. the present invention, which of course resides in the novel construction of means utilized to properly and effectively brace the fence post when used in the manner illustrated in Figure l.

In Figures 6 to 8 inclusive I have illustrated how the invention is used in conjunction with a corner post for the purpose of bracing two adjacent sides of the post. In these figures the post indicated at 30 is preferably of U-shape formation in cross section. Arranged on one side of the fence post is a bracket 33 which is secured thereto by spaced upper and lower bolts 34 which pass through the parallel side members of the fence post, while this bracket 33 is formed with spaced apertured lugs 35 between which the adjacent end of the brace rod 36 is connected. This brace rod is of the same construction as hereinabove described, including a longitudinally adjustable bolt 37 which is adapted to be connected with the adjacentanchor 38 all of which partsare identical in construction with that described in connection with Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.

Mounted on the same side of the fence post I rod 36 at an appropriate point in its length as indicated at 45. a

For the purpose of bracing the adjacent side of'the same post, I employ a pair of brackets of the construction illustrated in Figure 11, and these brackets are arranged between the spaced parallel flanges or side members of the post as illustrated. These opposed ends arebent upon themselves to form loops 47. The loops- 47 of the uppermost bracket 46 receive the bolts 34 of the bracket 33,so that the same bolts are em ployed to secure both of these brackets to the post; while the loops 47 of the lowermost bracket 46 accommodate the bolts 40 of the bracket 39, so that both of these latter mentioned brackets are secured to the post by the same bolts. Each of the brackets 46 is also formed with apertured lugs 48, the lugs of the uppermost bracket being spaced apart to receive the adjacent end of the brace rod 49 therebetween, the lower end of this rod being connected with the anchor 38 in the same manner as hereinabove described in connection with the anchor 36. However, the apertured lugs 48 of the lowermost bracket 46 are arranged in contacting engagement as illustrated in Figure 8, and

receive the hook like extremity 49. of the auxiliary brace rod 50, which is clamped to the brace rod 49 at an'appropriate point in its length as at 51. It is obvious from the construction illustrated and described in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive, that the fence post is not only braced at spaced upper and lower vwhich is the same as the structure illustratattached to a clamp 56 which embraces the brace rod 52, while the adjustable bolt 57 of the auxiliary brace rod has its extremity connected with a bracket 58 secured to the adjacent side of the fence post and of the same construction as the bracket 53. Otherwise the construction is the same as that illustrated and described in Figure 1 WVhile it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily understood, I desire to have it known that I-do not limit myself to what is herein illustrated and described, and that such chan es may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim is: j

1. The combination with a fence post of U-shape formation in cross section, of a bracket arranged on one side of the post, an additional bracket arranged between the spaced parallel side members of the post, bolts common to both of said brackets for attaching the latterv to the post, spaced apertured lugs projecting from each bracket, brace rodshaving their corresponding upper extremities connected with said lugs, an-

chors adapted to be driven into the ground, and a longitudinally adjustable element forming part ofeach brace rod and terminally connected with the adjacent anchor.

2. The combination with a fence post of U-shape formation in cross section, of a pair of brackets mounted upon two adjacent sides of the post, bolts common to both of said brackets for attaching the latterrto the post, brace rods having their corresponding upper extremities connected with said brackets,

anchors adapted to be driven into the ground, and connected with the adjacent lower ends of said brace rods, additional brackets secured to the same two adjacent sides of the post adjacent the lower end thereof, and auxiliary brace rods connecting the last mentioned brackets with the first mentioned brace rods at appropriate points in their length.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. i

CHARLES A. SPAUGH. 

